Tropical Herbs and Spices

An essential ingredient for Indian dishes, curry is an easy-to-grow herb. Most people think of allspice as something that comes in cans. Spice manufacturers make a powder out of the plant's berries, but if you have curry growing at home, you can just pluck one or two of the plant's very aromatic leaves. Related to everybody's favorite houseplant, Mexican oregano (Coleus amboinicus) has a strong oregano-like scent. Like all coleus, this plant, which is also called Spanish thyme, is easily propagated by cuttings. The orange tuberous roots of turmeric give curry powder its color. You can propagate turmeric by planting a piece of the rhizome. Lemon grass that's gotten too crowded can be easily divided. Just remove most of the leaves and replant individual plantlets a few inches apart. The small red berries of the "miracle fruit" make a great conversation piece: eat a berry, and you won't be able to taste a lemon. The berries of this African native temporarily block sour tastebuds.

Curry, allspice and other exotic herbs and spices are well within your grasp as an herb gardener. With the right light and temperature, you can grow a successful tropical herb garden--inside and outside. Try some of these varieties in a container garden, and you'll appreciate the extra flavor and aroma that only freshly harvested herbs can offer.

• Tropical herbs demand full sun and warm temperatures. If the herbs are grown outdoors , stay on the lookout for the first frost; tropical herbs won't survive cold temperatures and must be brought indoors.
  
  It's especially important to never underestimate light requirements; all herbs and spices develop their best oil content and flavors in full sunlight. Although they can sometimes be grown in less light, they won't yield premium flavor quality unless they receive ample sun exposure.
  
  Greenhouses, sun porches or southern exposures are the best sites for growing an herb garden. In the winter, you may want to supplement with grow lights.
• Choose a high-quality potting mix and a container with good drainage. The best soil feels friable but spongy, so that it holds moisture but still is loose enough to allow good drainage. (Decorative or ornate planters are ideal for herb gardens that will be displayed in more formal settings.)
• Manure tea, or compost tea, is a good way to fertilize plants organically. For a good long-term solution, use time-release capsules; these granular fertilizers can last 6 to 12 months. Once the soil is in the container, mix in the time-release capsules using a trowel.
• Feel the soil each week to monitor its moisture level. The water requirements for each herb garden will depend on the size and material of the container, the number of drainage holes in the bottom and the particular herb varieties included in the mix.

Guests
Chris Rollins
Manager
c/o Fruit & Spice Park
24801 SW 187th Street
Homestead, FL 33031
Phone: 305-247-5727
Fax: 305-245-3369
Email: FSP@co.miami-dade.fl.us
Also in this Episode

Way to Grow : Episode WTG-219
•	Cool-Season Flower Beds
•	Tropical Herbs and Spices
•	A Children's Garden
•	Easy Planter Tips